My husband and I stayed here for a weekend. The hotel was booked for us and it was our first stay in London. Reading some reviews of the hotel we'd seen some comments that it's location was a little out of the way and the area was quiet at weeeknds. It is located opposite Blackfriars tube station, close to Fleet Street. This area is obviously busy on weekdays with business workers frequenting the bars and restaurants ft lunchtime and after work.
The hotel itself is lovely – check in was smooth. Our room was on the first floor. The decor was very tasteful and the bed was exceptionally comfortable. We had a couple of drinks in the 19below cocktail bar on the first evening. The staff were very friendly, although service was a little slow at times,they were very apologetic, I think some of the bar staff were new and were learning the trade. I don't have a problem with that, as we all had to start our careers somewhere! the drinks were nicely served.
After a busy day walking around and sightseeing we sampled room service on Saturday night. We ordered a burger, water and a pot of tea. It arrived swiftly in around 15 minutes and was huge and very tasty. The breakfasts were heart – bacon and sausages were of a high standard. Served in the Chinese Cricket Club which doubles as the hotels Chinese restaurant in the evening. Again, a lovely setting.
We found that there were plenty of places to have a drink close to the hotel. The Blackfriars opposite is a surprise package inside lined with magnificent marble walls.
Other good pubs close by are The St Brides Tavern, The Albion and The Olde Cocke and Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street. Each of these pubs merit a review of their own. The area was surprisingly busy all weekend and we would stay there again. The Houses of Parliament, London Eye, Tower of London and The Shard were all within walking distance. The closest attraction is St Paul's Cathedral – less than 5 minutes walk away.
The only downside to the hotel,and it's a purely personal observation, the room and public area's were a tad too warm at all times for a woman of a certain age!! There was individual temperature control in the room but I could never get it to be as cool as I would ideally have liked. But as I have said this is a purely personal observation.
